All litigants and lawyers should have access to tribunals on an equal basis. Generally,
in adversary proceedings a lawyer should not communicate with a judge relative to a matter
pending before, or which is to be brought before, a tribunal over which he presides in
circumstances which might have the effect or give the appearance of granting undue
advantage to one party. For example, a lawyer should not communicate with a tribunal by a
writing unless a copy thereof is promptly delivered to opposing counsel or to the adverse
party if he is not represented by a lawyer. Ordinarily an oral communication by a lawyer
with a judge or hearing officer should be made only upon adequate notice to opposing
counsel, or, if there is none, to the opposing party. A lawyer should not condone or lend
himself to private importunities by another with a judge or hearing officer on behalf of
himself or his client.